Learn about the Sacramento Continuum of Care
Access Support

HMIS Support Hub

Accessing everything you need as a service provider participating in (or interested in participating in) the Homeless Management Information System.

Access HMIS Support
Become an HMIS-Participating Agency
Update Your Agency’s HMIS Information

Agencies in HMIS strengthen coordination and accountability.

The Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) is a secure, shared database used by agencies that provide services to people experiencing or at risk of homelessness. As the HMIS Lead Agency, Sacramento Steps Forward manages the system for the Sacramento (CA-503) and Yolo (CA-521) Continuums of Care (CoCs). This means we work with all agencies who receive funding through those CoCs. However, we also work with many other agencies who choose to be part of this system to help our region better understand and serve those experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

Agencies in HMIS help maintain an accurate, complete record of services in our region. Staff record client interactions, housing placements, and service outcomes, which supports coordinated care, meets federal requirements, and informs funding decisions. HMIS participation is required for any CoC receiving federal homelessness funding.

Access is strictly regulated through background checks, user agreements, and security protocols to protect client privacy. By contributing data, agencies strengthen community-wide coordination and help track progress toward local homelessness response goals.

Request or update HMIS participation:

Get Started with HMIS

Are you looking for your agency to participate in HMIS? Learn how to submit the agency request form, complete the security checklist, and set up initial user accounts.

Get started

Update Your Agency’s Information:

Are you already part of HMIS? Learn how to add or close programs, update user accounts, complete the annual security audit, or update housing inventory.

Learn more

Explore documents and training:

Find Documents

Looking for an agreement forms, procedure manuals, program standards, or other HMIS-related documents? Explore our library of documents and find what your agency needs to read, reference, or submit.

Explore our library

Access HMIS Training and Resources

From navigating HMIS to understanding data quality, get access to trainings that guide you through how to use the system efficiently and effectively.
Access training and resources

Access HMIS support:

HMIS Virtual Open Office Hours

Every Wednesday
Noon to 2:00 p.m. PDT

Get live, one-on-one help with any HMIS question, from fixing errors to running reports.

Zoom link

HMIS Support Hour

Wednesdays as Scheduled
2:00 to 3:00 p.m. PDT

Join a focused session on the current HMIS priority or project, such as federal reporting or data quality.

Zoom link

Quick-Access Support

Job Aids

Job Aids are short documents with step-by-step directions and corresponding images to guide a user through a common HMIS task. Whether it is a guide on how to properly enroll a family into a program or run a specific report, the Job Aids are a useful tool for folks who prefer detailed instructions.

View Job Aids

HMIS FAQs

Our HMIS Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page is a collection of questions that we receive in our HMIS inbox from service providers like you. This is a great place to find answers to your questions and learn a few new things.

View FAQs

Emailing HMIS

HMIS@SacStepsForward.org
This is our primary email address and where the majority of our emails come through. The volume of emails can vary, but we are committed to responding to your email within no more than 72 hours.

HMISNewsletters@SacStepsForward.org
When we send out our HMIS Newsletters each month, this is email address we use. Any questions about our newsletters, requests for content, or submissions for our “Ask HMIS” column should be directed here.

DataQuality@SacStepsForward.org
As we continue to roll out our data quality improvement efforts, we are using this email address to communicate with our CoC partners. Please reply back to this email address or use it to contact us directly with questions about current data quality campaigns or suggestions for future campaigns.

Here are some additional resources.

HMIS Language Clarity Guide

The HMIS Language Clarity Guide is a quick-reference resource that explains key terms, user roles, and workflows for entering and managing client data in HMIS.

DOWNLOAD GUIDE

More About the HMIS Program

Visit the HMIS from HUD website to learn more about the program.

VISIT HMIS FROM HUD

Data from HMIS

Visit our Data and Analytics hub to explore the reports and dashboards made possible by the data entered into HMIS.

VISIT DATA AND ANALYTICS HUB

Have questions or need support?

For general HMIS support, system access questions, or help with data entry and reporting, reach out to us using the form below.

Note: Please do not include personally identifiable information (PII) in emails or when you submit a question below. Use the HMIS Unique Identifier instead.

Name(Required)
Please let us know what's on your mind. Have a question for us? Ask away.

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If you are unable to find the information or resources you need, reach out via the form below. We will respond as quickly as possible. Thank you for your partnership!

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